Haazinu: Spiritual or Materialistic?

Parashat Haazinu begins with the words “Give ear, O heavens, let me speak; let the earth hear the words I utter!” (Devarim 32:1)  The Chatam Sofer, a 19th century European scholar, asked why Moshe called upon both the “heavens” and the “earth” to hear. The Chatam Sofer explained that this verse is meant to refer to two different kinds of people, individuals who are spiritual, whose thoughts are in heaven, and individuals who are down to earth, whose concerns are more materialistic. Taking the Chatam Sofer’s idea one step further, perhaps the Parasha’s opening Pasuk is meant to refer to different sides of us as we often have both a spiritual side and materialistic side.

  • Which side are you leaning toward at the start to this New Year?
  • Do you think that our materialistic and spiritual sides can complement one another?
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